Society Honours Supporters in Award Ceremony
 Gopal Haridas Award recipient Mdm Ho Yun Wai. |
Widowed while still in her 40s, Mdm Ho Yun Wai had to single-handedly raise her five sons. It made her think about their fate should anything happen to her, and she began to pay closer attention to groups that worked with children and youth.
It eventually led the 96-year-old to make a donation of $500,000 last year – from her hard-earned savings – to Singapore Children’s Society. Her generosity was honoured at the annual Singapore Children’s Society Awards Presentation, held on 25 June at Pan Pacific Singapore.
Mdm Ho received the prestigious Gopal Haridas Award, given to individuals or organisations that have donated at least $350,000, or helped raise at least $500,000 for the Society.
“Doing good is the greatest source of my happiness,” she said.
Mdm Ho was one of 48 volunteers and donors honoured at the event, during which the Society paid tribute to the difference they have made to the lives of its beneficiaries.
Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Second Minister for the Ministry of Communications and Information, was the Guest-of-Honour.
 Ruth Wong Award recipient Ms Tan Khiaw Ngoh. |
Also among this year’s Award recipients was Ms Tan Khiaw Ngoh, who received the Ruth Wong Award, which is given to those who have volunteered with the Society for over a decade. Ms Tan has served in several positions since 1999, and is currently Honorary Secretary of the Society’s Executive Committee. She also serves in the Social Work Service Standing Committee and the Financial Assistance Committee of the Society.
Awards were also presented to supporters in six other award categories, including Ms Ng Yi Qi, who received the Silver Service Award for giving guitar lessons to abused and neglected children and youth at Sunbeam Place.
She recalled how difficult it was to draw the children into the weekly classes when they first began in 2009. It took time for them to warm up to the instructors. Now, the children have not only picked up a musical instrument, but even perform in front of audiences.
“Music can be very powerful. I hope that it will give them confidence and that they will be empowered by music,” she shared.
With the support of its volunteers and donors, Children’s Society was able to help a total of 72,640 children, youth and families in 2013.
This year’s Awards Presentation was sponsored by NTUC Income Insurance Co-Operative Limited, Lee Foundation, and Tote Board and Singapore Pools, and supported by the Society’s community partner, OCBC Bank.
 Silver Service Award recipient Ms Ng Yi Qi giving guitar lessons to children and youth. |